Foundation Doctor (FY1/FY2) · City comparison · 2026

Cardiff vs Edinburgh

Q: Does a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) earn more in Cardiff or Edinburgh?

Cardiff pays £37,068 vs £37,068 in Edinburgh. After living costs, Cardiff professionals have £207/month more disposable income.

Q: What is the take-home pay for a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) in Cardiff vs Edinburgh?

In Cardiff: £2,517/month net. In Edinburgh: £2,510/month net. After rent, Cardiff leaves £1,617/month vs Edinburgh's £1,410/month.

Q: What salary in Edinburgh matches Cardiff purchasing power?

Approximately £41,700 in Edinburgh delivers equivalent purchasing power to £37,068 in Cardiff, based on a COL index of 64 vs 72.

Q: Is Cardiff or Edinburgh cheaper to live in?

Cardiff is cheaper (COL 64 vs 72). Rent: Cardiff £900/mo vs Edinburgh £1,100/mo.

Q: What is the rent-to-income ratio for a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) in Cardiff?

A foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) in Cardiff has a rent-to-income ratio of 36% (stretched). In Edinburgh the equivalent is 44%.

Cardiff wins on purchasing power. Cardiff foundation doctor (fy1/fy2)s have £207/month more disposable income after rent than their Edinburgh counterparts.

Cardiff salary

£37,068

£2,517/mo take-home

Edinburgh salary

£37,068

£2,510/mo take-home

Cardiff wins by

+£207

per month after rent

Winner on purchasing power

Cardiff

After paying rent, a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) in Cardiff retains £207/month more than in Edinburgh — that's £2,484/year extra in purchasing power.

+£207

per month

Cardiff

View full breakdown →

Gross salary £37,068

Net monthly £2,517

Rent (1-bed) £900

Rent-to-income 36% — Stretched

After rent £1,617

Edinburgh

View full breakdown →

Gross salary £37,068

Net monthly £2,510

Rent (1-bed) £1,100

Rent-to-income 44% — Stretched

After rent £1,410

Cardiff vs Edinburgh: what the £207/month gap means for a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2)

On paper, Cardiff foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) roles pay £0/year more than Edinburgh. But take-home after tax and National Insurance tells a different story — Cardiff workers keep £2,517/month versus £2,510/month in Edinburgh.

The bigger picture is after rent. Average Cardiff rent runs £900/month versus £1,100/month in Edinburgh. Once housing costs are factored in, Cardiff workers have £1,617/month disposable income versus £1,410/month in Edinburgh — that is £2,484/year in real spending power.

Cardiff's rent-to-income ratio of 36% compares favourably to Edinburgh's 44%.

For foundation doctor (fy1/fy2)s prioritising financial freedom, Cardiff delivers significantly more disposable income despite comparable gross pay.

Monthly cost comparison

All figures monthly · 2025/26

Category	Cardiff	Edinburgh	Delta
Rent (1-bed median)	£900	£1,100	+22%
Transport	£50	£62	+24%
Council tax	£132	£155	+17%
Groceries	£255	£280	+10%
Disposable income remaining	£1,047	£783	-25%

Sources: NHS Wales 2025/26 · Rightmove Q4 2025 · HMRC 2025/26 · Numbeo 2025

Cost-of-living equivalence

Based on a cost-of-living index of 64 for Cardiff and 72 for Edinburgh, a salary of £37,068 in Cardiff delivers equivalent purchasing power to £41,700 in Edinburgh.

Cardiff £37,068 ≈

£41,700

in Edinburgh

Income retention after all essentials

% of net monthly pay remaining after rent, transport, council tax and groceries

Cardiff 42%

Edinburgh 31%

Everyday costs

Estimated typical prices · scaled from Numbeo 2025

Cappuccino

Cardiff £2.43

Edinburgh £2.74

Transit (single trip)

Cardiff £1.19

Edinburgh £1.48

Gym membership

Cardiff £35/mo

Edinburgh £40/mo

Cinema ticket

Cardiff £10.24

Edinburgh £11.52

Financial tools

Frequently asked questions

Does a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) earn more in Cardiff or Edinburgh? +

Cardiff pays a median £37,068 vs £37,068 in Edinburgh — a gross difference of £0. However, after accounting for rent and living costs, Cardiff professionals have £207/month more disposable income, making it the stronger city in real terms.

What is the take-home pay for a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) in Cardiff vs Edinburgh? +

In Cardiff: gross £37,068 → £2,517/month net take-home. In Edinburgh: gross £37,068 → £2,510/month net take-home. After paying median 1-bed rent, Cardiff leaves £1,617/month vs Edinburgh's £1,410/month.

What salary in Edinburgh matches Cardiff purchasing power? +

Approximately £41,700 in Edinburgh delivers equivalent purchasing power to £37,068 in Cardiff, based on a cost-of-living index of 64 (Cardiff) vs 72 (Edinburgh).

Is Cardiff or Edinburgh cheaper to live in? +

Cardiff is cheaper overall, with a cost-of-living index of 64 vs 72 for Edinburgh (London = 100). Rent in Cardiff averages £900/month (1-bed) vs £1,100/month in Edinburgh.

What is the rent-to-income ratio for a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) in Cardiff? +

A foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) in Cardiff earning £37,068 takes home £2,517/month. With median 1-bed rent of £900/month, the rent-to-income ratio is 36% (stretched). In Edinburgh the equivalent ratio is 44%.